Particle trajectory model for tribo-electrostatic separating mixed granular plastics

Abstract Tribo-Electrostatic Separation (TES) is suitable for recycling plastic from waste to avoid losing its virgin value. The separation model, which comprised of computing the electric field and the analysis of forces on the particles, was utilized to write a program by MATLAB language. The particle trajectory model based on TES is established. The model includes electric field computation and part of an analysis of forces on the particles. The electrode parameters and material parameters can be changed in the model. A photographic system including a high-speed camera (1000fps) was used to capture the plastic particle trajectories and to verify the model. Both waste PVC and waste PP particles were captured. The results computed by the model have a good agreement with the experimental results. The model can find suitable parameters for separating different waste plastics and help explore TES applications.